My wife got a bunch of different things my 3-year-old is fascinated with. I'll find out what's on her iPod and let you know. She's been fascinated with the iPod since she was your son's age (which even now she can't remember the name; it's "Mommy's little thing".)

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do.

Thanks derFunk. My little one too is fascinated by it as he keeps grabbing my wifes iPhone. I suspect its the Pink Otterbox my wife has in it. But just the other day he was actually looking at the screen.

I had always stated that when the iPad 3 is released I would upgrade then re-purpose my original iPad for him. Hence the question.

Apparently nothing of note. My daughter likes games with bright colors. Apparently her favorite ones right now are Fruit Ninja and Super Rope. She does have some sort of Sesame Street pop-up e-book type of app. And then there's stuff that you're probably not going to be interested in - a Dora Ballerina app, for instance.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do.

The iPad is a great time sink for kids if you're on the go. Does anyone have an idea for locking the app you're in? My boys are drawn to the only button on the front- the home button- and switching in and out of apps. Next thing you know, my son says "Dad, they're twisting" when he holds down an app icon until it switches into move icon/delete icon mode. If I could force them to stay in the one app that I choose them to use, I wouldn't constantly feel like I have to watch everything they do with it.

It's one of those things that make me think to myself "Surely someone has to have thought of this by now".

My kids love Astroloquiz app. You can find it at itunes or I can send you the link, just send me pm. I just found it at itunes and since then, they are hooked on it. As a mom, of course I want it for them because it wasn't only entertaining, it was also educational. They also love the Futaba App. How about other moms here? What are the other apps your kids love?

You can lock iPads on an app using access restrictions built into iOS. Once activated, it requires triple-clicking the home button to enable and disable this 'Guided Access' mode. Guided Access mode, when activated, disables the home button, and you can specify a bunch of other features or areas of the screen that are off limits.

Be warned, though. Research suggests that kids who consume too much media from devices like iPads have stunted physical and social development. I didn't keep the links to said articles, but it's enough that I'd really prefer my kids playing with building blocks, or other real toys that require actual interaction.

FireGryphon wrote:You can lock iPads on an app using access restrictions built into iOS. Once activated, it requires triple-clicking the home button to enable and disable this 'Guided Access' mode. Guided Access mode, when activated, disables the home button, and you can specify a bunch of other features or areas of the screen that are off limits.

Yup. Being doing that since my son was born. He has my old iPhone 3gs as serviceless cell phone. He loves having a real camera and pretending to be like Mom and Dad.

There are some decent Apps:The LEGO DUPLO Train is a favoriteHe likes Build-a-Bridge (not sure what the real name is)Whatever the airport game is where you land the planes/helicopters and make them crash, I mean keep them from hitting

FireGryphon wrote:Be warned, though. Research suggests that kids who consume too much media from devices like iPads have stunted physical and social development.

I've read/heard this also. Very easy to google search. I don't have kids yet (holding out as long as I can against my wife) but I won't be letting them use a tablet for many years. I've kept many of my childhood toys (ie: Lego collection) to give to them. For now, get him something like the Shape O to get that brain working.

FireGryphon wrote:Be warned, though. Research suggests that kids who consume too much media from devices like iPads have stunted physical and social development.

I've read/heard this also. Very easy to google search. I don't have kids yet (holding out as long as I can against my wife) but I won't be letting them use a tablet for many years. I've kept many of my childhood toys (ie: Lego collection) to give to them. For now, get him something like the Shape O to get that brain working.

I'd argue there's a difference between passively consuming media (ie watching vidoes) and interactively playing games, especially one's that require logic or problem solving. Now I'm obviously not recommending sitting in front of electronics for a significant amount of time, but in moderation it can be educational and help with fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

I can't seem to find the stories to support what Usacomp2k3 said but he's right.

Videos are not good. There was a study that came out saying iPads, TV's and what no are bad for babies. The author then came out and said INTERACTIVE apps are not that bad and may be as "good as playing with blocks."

We have a 2 year old and there are Fisher Price apps all over the App Store that are great for kids. She also loves the PBS Kids app for videos, which we try to limit to a greater degree than the "interactive" apps.